Top-ranked Iga Swiatek was dethroned as US Open champion after suffering a shock 3-6 6-3 6-1 defeat to Jelena Ostapenko on Sunday night at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Defeat for Swiatek also means her 75-week stay at No 1 in the WTA rankings will end next week, when Aryna Sabalenka will rise to the top spot for the first time.
Into her first US Open quarter-final, the 2017 French Open champion will next face American favourite Coco Gauff next.
“I always expect a tough battle against Iga,” Ostapenko said on court. “She’s won many Slams and she plays very consistent. I just went on court and I had to play aggressive because that’s what she doesn’t really like. In the third set, I stepped more in the court and I was serving better.”
“I was just thinking that I have to play until the very last point, until we shake hands,” she added. “I didn’t really give her many chances.”
In a baseline tug-of-war there was an early exchange of breaks before Swiatek landed a flat cross-court passing shot for a 4-2 lead. The Pole soon closed out the 39-minute opener and everything appeared to be going according to plan.
Latvian Ostapenko made a terrific start to the second set, storming into a 4-1 lead but then wavered allowing Swiatek to get a break back and pull within 4-3.
But that proved to be only a blip with Swiatek having trouble serving, the contest quickly tilted in one direction as Ostapenko reeled off seven consecutive games in a row to level the contest before flying to a 5-0 lead in the third set.
Ostapenko fired off a crisp forehand winner to break her opponent’s serve on match point, pumping her fist in delight.
Tale of the Tape
The US Open on Sky Sports: How and where to watch
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Watch the US Open live and exclusive on Sky Sports up until September 10. All courts will be available to watch for the first time
Sky welcomes tennis back to its channels, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light ‘sabres’, and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
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Relive Andy Murray’s rollercoaster career at the US Open, which saw him claim his maiden major title in 2012
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From Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek- it is time to meet the US Open champion contenders!
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entire new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be available of the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features.
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